Employment Expertise: Working as a team in the workplace

Monday

Feb 17, 2014 at 7:00 AM

Michigan Works!

When most people hear the term “team,” they think of a sports team, like football or basketball, but what about teams in the workplace? One question commonly asked at interviews is, “How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team?”In most jobs, collaboration is essential. Almost every job requires interaction with bosses and coworkers, or work as part of a team in some form or another. Your answer to this question will give the employer an idea of how you will fit with their organization and best benefit the company.Teams have many aspects and also require various roles to be successful. Consider the Superbowl XLVIII Champions, the Seattle Seahawks. They won because of their talented defense, coaches who called correct plays, an excellent quarterback and an offense that worked well together.Just as football has many different positions and roles on the team, it is the same on the job. Think of the roles you’ve taken in the past:• Are you typically the person taking leadership under the direction of your boss, leading the team and the project?• Are you able to take direction well? Do you function well under direction and leadership and effectively help the team to complete tasks? Are you someone who is willing to do what is asked to get the job done?• Are you the person who enjoys doing difficult tasks? Are you willing to do physical tasks and step outside of your comfort zone?• Are you the researcher? Do you enjoying questioning the status quo, being creative and asking questions for clarification?In sports and work, all aspects of a team are valuable. There can’t be three quarterbacks on the football field at the same time calling plays — that would create chaos. The same is true in the workplace. Just because you might not naturally take a leadership role does not mean you aren’t an effective or important aspect of the team. All roles are vital to a healthy, productive and successful team.In preparing for your interview and your response to the question, be honest with yourself. Think about your past experiences and what roles you naturally lean toward. What are examples of teams you’ve worked with or projects you have completed? What role did you take, and how did that make a difference? An employer needs to have an accurate representation of your ability to work on a team and those roles/aspects in which you excel.If you find you tend to be the one with a negative attitude or needing to be reminded to stay on task, reevaluate your skills and personal motivation. What motivates and encourages you? What would it take for you to be invested as a part of a team at work? What could you improve on from past experiences? Employers don’t want to hear that you tend to sit back and let others do all the work. This will be an immediate red flag to potential employers.Whether you are seeking a job at a fast food restaurant or upper level management, most positions require interaction with bosses and coworkers and collaboration as part of a team in some form or another. Be prepared to answer this question within the scope of the position you are applying for, and answer honestly with well-prepared examples. Remember — all roles, whether as a leader or supporter, are vital to a healthy, productive and successful team. Let your skills, abilities and accomplishments shine, and you may be hired to their team.— Employment Expertise is provided by Ottawa County Michigan Works! OCMW assists employers and job seekers through direct contact and through its extensive network of connections. Learn more to see how they can help you — visit miottawa.org/ocmwa or call (616) 396-2154.